All children are capable of great things. Those who perform well in exams tend to achieve greatness rather more rapidly and with less stress for their relatives than those who freak out at the very thought of a test, let alone a GCSE or A-level.
Here are some practical hints, taken from clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller’s new book, Unlocking Your Child’s Genius, that may help transform potential into performance on the days that matter most.
A summary of the ideas presented in the article that parents can do at home to ensure greater productivity and efficiency in learning:
- learn in 20 minute bursts–beyond that and the child’s mind starts to wander
- study lists 30 minutes before bed–what you do just before you go to sleep is what you remember best
- draw or map out important concepts—children remember visuals more than words or sounds
- study in different areas of the house—improve their memory by practising recalling information under different conditions
- be consistent and structured in learning–children need to learn, study and revise in repetitive, routine ways
- use lists, acronyms, tables and graphics–transform knowledge into long-term memory
- sometimes a few pieces of candy help—additional glucose 20 minutes before a test or a task increases memory
Sleep, jellybeans and neck rubs: how to quell pre-exam jitters
by Andrew Fuller
14 May 2016